Special Assistant, Community and Economic Development Projects

Start an exciting career with the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) as a Special Assistant for Community and Economic Development Projects. In this role, you will help guide major efforts that support community growth and economic progress. You will work on high visibility projects that improve coordination, communication, and decision making. DCED encourages motivated individuals who are ready to contribute to statewide success to apply today!

This position supports major community and economic development initiatives by reviewing information, coordinating activities, and ensuring strong communication across various teams. As a Special Assistant, Community and Economic Development Projects, you will perform the following duties:

• Strategic Support: Advise the Secretary by reviewing information, analyzing issues, and preparing recommendations
• Project Leadership: Lead or assist major initiatives that involve interagency coordination and complex planning
• Office Coordination: Serve as a connection between the Secretary's Office and DCED program areas to maintain smooth communication
• Progress Monitoring: Track project activity and prepare updates, summaries, and support materials
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the Secretary in meetings and maintain communication with partners and community groups
• Material Preparation: Develop written reports, presentations, memos, and related documents

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 2 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Six years of professional experience in Economic development, community development or staff work, including three years in a large public agency; and training gained through graduation from a four-year college or university, supplemented by graduate study in public administration at the master's degree level; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

• You must have three or more years of experience in public speaking
• You must have three or more years of experience in public engagement
• You must have three or more years of experience planning and managing public events
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Graduate degree
• Government experience

How to Apply:

• Your application must include a cover letter and resume.
• You must attach a cover letter and resume to your application for review by the hiring manager. However, the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.